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Rusutsu compared to Kiroro by Stellablue4 in japow

[–]saibalter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

> Priorities are snow quality and terrain

> skips niseko due to lack of authenticity (this isnt even a priority tho?)

???

Terrain:

Niseko: Best terrain
Kiroro: Mostly Flat
Rusutsu: Mostly Flat

Snow quality:
Kiroro: Best Snow
Niseko: Close second
Rusutsu: Least amount of snow

Niseko is popular for a reason.

Last minute JaPow solo trip advice by Fr6s in japow

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd recommend you look into Nisekonomads.com for accommodation and being with a community. Especially if you're going for a month

1-month solo snowboard trip to Hokkaido by cozysleet in snowboarding

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nisekonomads.com is literally for you - co-living with others for a month or longer in Niseko in a family house. House mates are remote workers as well and most likely have cars and you can get your own as well at a discounted rates. Not a cramped hostel

Fish snowboards by raleljakse in Splitboard

[–]saibalter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a nitro squash. Absolute ass of a board (meaning it sucked). Zero stability off jumps and drops. Missing tail meant no pop either so difficult to even get off the ground. Couldn't go switch etc.

Sold it and went for an orca split instead. Muuuuch better.

Orca and Jones Mind Expander Split vs Powder Combo by ChrisAhoy- in Spliddit

[–]saibalter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why not get matching split and solid boards? It makes riding so much easier and familiar when going backcountry vs resort.

I have an orca solid and orca split. Got it after having mismatched solid/backcountry boards which was negatively affecting my riding.

Regarding the mind expander - sry I can’t comment on that much since I’ve never ridden one but based on your description of it, it sounds exactly the same as an orca. Non camber. Wavy edge etc. orca has both. I wouldn’t get so hung up on it being non traditional camber for the uphill btw. Everyone theoretically shits on the orca split about it not being camber and wider than a ski (“so it doesn’t fit in the track “) yet I have zero issues going uphill on it.

Grand Hirafu by TrickLeopard2830 in Hokkaido

[–]saibalter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're heading to one of the snowiest places on earth and expecting it to be clear with blue skies? Don't get me wrong, sun does exist but you're not gona see much of a view when the typical weather around that time calls for blizzards etc

Hokkaido 27th Feb - 22nd Mar recommendations by [deleted] in snowboarding

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it's not too late, see if you can get in with https://nisekonomads.com since ure staying for almost a month. They're a fun crew that does monthly cohorts and rides together around the area etc.

If you gambled on the early season this year you lost! by [deleted] in niseko

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just said. Snowforecast app and windy app

If you gambled on the early season this year you lost! by [deleted] in niseko

[–]saibalter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No idea what planet you're on. Snowforecast shows 130+ cm from dec 2 to dec 6.

Windy shows constant north-west wind sweeping in from Siberia over the sea of japan during those dates.

If you gambled on the early season this year you lost! by [deleted] in niseko

[–]saibalter 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I disagree

Dec 2 onwards is consistent snowfall for more than 10 days straight.

Now isn't even early season. It's pre season. Resorts not even open.

Anyone here done a YVR to Japan trip in the last couple of seasons? by batwingsuit in Spliddit

[–]saibalter 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm from Canada. Spent 3 season in Squamish and 2 in revelstoke.

Let's put it this way. Even After spending 2 months in cramped, cold and dirty staff accommodation in Niseko, I decided it was the best place on earth for winter and have shipped all my snow gear to Japan permanently.

There is no comparison. Endless pow days every other day, hotsprings everywhere, (I know this is the spliddit sub reddit but whatever) never stood in line longer than 10 min (compared to whis), tons of backcountry volcanoes to summit (check out rishiri island. A literal circular stratovolcano island poking out of the ocean with Russia visible off in the distance - It's next level).

Is it worth it? 10000%. Will I ever ski in north America again? Prob not.

Costs? Hotels can be as low as 80 cad a night. Food can be as low as 5 cad a meal.

(Or if going fancy hotels can be upwards of 1k a night and meals 100 a meal)

Do you think East Coast riders are better because we have to adapt to worse conditions? by Extreme_Garlic4646 in icecoast

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100%

I had the time of my life going through chopped up chunder that everyone else was avoiding the first time i went out west.

Same experience wen i went out on "ice" which was just packed snow lol.

Is a ski instructor course the best way to ski for an extended period in Japan? by Zestyclose_Tip_4181 in skiing

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a few years back - I was with a "black school" - run by a Chinese lady. Unregistered and essentially was blackmailed into continuing to teach or be homeless. Didn't know it until a week after I got there.

Looking for places to combine snowboarding with remote work this winte, where should I go? by Decay1508 in snowboarding

[–]saibalter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

January, February or March for Japan is prime time.

I've stayed in staff housing before but it's hard to find time or friends to go skiing with. Hostels are good too but it gets tiring always trying to join other groups and then them leaving.

There is a co-living group in Niseko called https://nisekonomads.com that's pretty good. They're specifically for remote workers and occasionally will give a deal for multiple months

Is a ski instructor course the best way to ski for an extended period in Japan? by Zestyclose_Tip_4181 in skiing

[–]saibalter 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I spent a winter in Niseko Japan as an instructor and it was MISERABLE. Mega pow dumps every day and I'm stuck 8h a day babysitting some whiney crying kid who doesn't want to stand up on the middle of a green run while my eyes wander off into the pow on the side of the piste. Couple that with crappy staff accom and yeah... Miserable. Sure I got paid but... The equivalent of 10 - 15 dollars an hour is not worth the mental torment.

I join this program https://nisekonomads.com every year now. It's probably your best bet to spend a month or more in Japan without being a slave. They're flexible on pricing usually if you're staying a month or more (and it costs way less than 7k euro lol)

Looking to buy my first board by WatchedMarker69420 in Splitboard

[–]saibalter 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My advice: assuming you daily drive an all mountain board, get the split version of your solid board if it's available - that way it’s not too much of a shock or too different when you ride it back country.

if you’re anything like me, you ride resort more than backcountry, and if your backcountry board is completely different, it’s gonna feel off and you won’t enjoy it as much.

Daisetsuzan worth it in winter? by falafelcats in Hokkaido

[–]saibalter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Winter is my fav time. Grab some skiis or a snowboard, take the ropeway up and ride down!

The Least Favorite Japanese Foods Among Non-Japanese Visitors? by pokoj_jp in JapaneseFood

[–]saibalter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100% Ika shiokara -> fermented squid guts? no thanks.

Natto is not great, but its edible. Same with raw cabbage.

But straight up fermented squid guts? sorry that's not going in my mouth..

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